Golf-tee.



No. 638,920. Patented Dec. 82, I899. G. F. GRANT.

GOLF TEE.

(Application filed July 1, '1899.)

We Model.)

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GEORGE F. GRANT, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS.

GOLF-TEE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 638,920, dated December12, 1899. Application filed July 1, 1899. Serial No. 722,500. (Nomodel.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE F. GRANT, of Boston, county of Suffolk, Stateof Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Golf- Tees, of whichthe following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings,is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing likeparts.

This invention has for its object the prod uction of a simple, cheap,and efiective tee for use in the game of golf, obviating the use of theusual conical mounds of sand or similar material formed by the fingersof the player on which the ball is supported when driving off.

WVhile the tee must firmly, yet lightly, sup

port the ball until hit by the players club,

the tee must be so constructed that it will not in any manner interferewith the swing or carry through of the club in making the stroke. Theserequisites are possessed in full by my invention, and the annoyance andsometimes discomfort attendant upon the formation of a sand tee areobviated thereby.

Figure 1 represents a golf-tee embodying one form of my invention, shownas inserted in the ground and supporting a ball ready to be struck. Fig.2 is a side elevation of the base portion of the tee, the head beingshown in section; and Fig. 3 is a transverse section on the line 00 m,Fig. 2.

In accordance with my invention the tee comprises a rigid base portion aand an attached flexible head I), the base being preferably made of woodand tapering to a point at its lower end to be readily insertedin theground. Near its upper end the base is preferably reduced in diameter,as at a, to leave an annular shoulder a and over the reduced portion isstretched one end of a piece of rubber tubing forming the head 5, thetubing being drawn down to the shoulder a I prefer to cement the head tothe base around the part a of the latter, the open upper end of the headpresenting an annular seat 19, in

inch.

In practice the base is driven into the ground to substantially theshoulder a the head pro jecting upward about three-quarters of an Whenthe ball is struck, the head will yield in the direction of travel ofthe ball, offering no obstruction to its flight, and if the club strikesthe head, as will frequently be the case, the yield will not in any wayretard or stop the proper swing of the club as it is carried through thestroke.

The tee may be withdrawn after the drive and again used for the nextdrive, and so on, or the tee may remain .permanently in theteeing-ground, as desired or found most convenient.

By the use of the tee, as described,the player is sure that his ball isuniformly elevated from the ground at each drive and the uncertainty ofa sand tee is overcome, as it is practically impossible to make them ofuniform height each time.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-- 1. As an article of manufacture, a golf-teecomprising a tapering base portion to be driven into the ground pointfirst, and a flexible tubular head, the lower end of which embraces theupper tapering portion of the base.

2. As an article of manufacture, a golf-tee comprising a tapering baseportion adapted to be inserted in the ground point first and having ashoulder near its upper end, a tubular head, the lower end of whichembraces the tapering base portion above the shoulder.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in thepresence of two subscribing witnesses.

GEORGE F. GRANT. Witnesses:

JOHN C. EDWARDS, EMMA J. BENNETT.

